new guy from ohio

jackpot59 · 12-12-2019, 05:08 PM

good afternoon all... have always been intrigued with lugers, there appears to be a TON of information to be learned here!!
bought a Mitchell luger 20 years ago and never ended up firing it (still new in the box!!).....I thought that was "the real thing", obviously I was mistaken...
guess it's time to dump the Mitchell and buy something that is real!!

HerrKaiser · 12-12-2019, 05:22 PM

Welcome, fellow Ohioan, to the board. First, your Mitchell Luger is every bit a real Luger. However, I would not recommend firing it as the metallurgy and production quality reported in these guns has been...well, lets say not up to snuff.

Secondly, I would recommend that you read up on the FAQ document provided at the top of every page. It has almost all of the basic information you could ask for when getting started and before you buy the books.

ithacaartist · 12-12-2019, 05:24 PM

Welcome to the forum, Steve. Some consider the Stainless Lugers made in Houston to be collectible in their own right. They are not, of course, without their issues, but if yours is one that functions OK, fits together so that it doesn't rattle when shaken, hasn't had its flat surfaces buffed during its manufacture to be all wavy, and doesn't exhibit galling on the toggle ramps, it is indeed desirable as an example of what it is. NIB ought to realize an amount slightly North of a thousand bucks. If you insist on getting rid of it, I'll bet you could come pretty close to swapping it even up for an original lower level collectible or nice original shooter.

Doubs · 12-12-2019, 06:05 PM

Welcome to the forum.

It may be a good move to pass along your Mitchell Luger and buy an original. I've not been favorably impressed by the Mitchell Lugers I've examined. The fit hasn't been that great.

If your purpose is to shoot an original Luger, then I suggest looking for a shooter.

If collecting is the idea, then I suggest not shooting an all original, matching Luger. One in collectible condition and all matching will lose it's value if a numbered part breaks.

Before jumping into deep waters, learn all you can here and also buy reference books... generally, the newer books have the best and most accurate information. Also beware that there are many fakes out there so being educated BEFORE you invest is a wise move.

mrerick · 12-12-2019, 07:00 PM

Welcome to the forum. Do download the FAQ PDF document:

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121

Lots of good reference information there, and it's free!

wlyon · 12-12-2019, 08:03 PM

Good advice above. Welcome to ,the Forum. Bill

gunnertwo · 12-12-2019, 10:40 PM

Welcome! Great helpful folks here.

G2

jackpot59 · 12-13-2019, 09:51 AM

just found a DWM "sneak luger" over on another site...got to do some reading on value, appears to be MOSTLY numbers matching for 1375...

wlyon · 12-13-2019, 10:35 AM

That sounds very high priced to me. Bill

jackpot59 · 12-13-2019, 10:52 AM

ty sir.

DavidJayUden · 12-13-2019, 10:53 AM

"Mostly matching numbers" is like being a "little bit" pregnant. It's either matched or it isn't. Not much in-between.
dju

jackpot59 · 12-13-2019, 11:05 AM

apparently numbers matching except no numbers on firing pin, bolt hold open, and grips.

DavidJayUden · 12-13-2019, 11:19 AM

Not uncommon to see those parts replaced, but it probably puts it into the shooter category. Unless there is something special about this one, it sounds like an expensive shooter.
dju

Neil Young · 12-13-2019, 11:21 AM

Welcome aboard. Yes, there are a number of true experts on this and the Still's forums and a much larger segment, like me, who are somewhat informed. Strike that "like me" part--I know enough to get into trouble, but I have knowledgeable friends who keep me pointed in the right direction. People here are quite willing to pass on their knowledge.

BTW, the Luger you are looking at isn't even close to be matching.

Curly1 · 12-13-2019, 02:24 PM

Welcome to the forum.

rhuff · 12-13-2019, 05:07 PM

Welcome to this forum, and my best advice is to go slow, and learn.

Lugerdoc · 12-13-2019, 06:58 PM

Most Weimar era commerical lugers did not number the firing pin, hold open or grips, so may be correct. TH

mrerick · 12-14-2019, 09:27 AM

If you're just starting out collecting Lugers, buy the reference books first. They seem expensive, but you'll save their cost in the first bad deal you avoid.

For what a mismatched Luger priced at $1375 costs you, you could have a correctly priced mismatched Luger (worth $1000) AND the most detailed Luger study that has been published.

There is a lot of information in the FAQ I mentioned earlier, but much more detailed information in the books.

So, go to Luger University first, then buy Lugers. Your experience may vary.

12-12-2019, 05:08 PM	#1
jackpot59 New User Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 4 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	new guy from ohio good afternoon all... have always been intrigued with lugers, there appears to be a TON of information to be learned here!! bought a Mitchell luger 20 years ago and never ended up firing it (still new in the box!!).....I thought that was "the real thing", obviously I was mistaken... guess it's time to dump the Mitchell and buy something that is real!!

12-12-2019, 05:22 PM	#2
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 848 Thanks: 784 Thanked 861 Times in 411 Posts	Welcome, fellow Ohioan, to the board. First, your Mitchell Luger is every bit a real Luger. However, I would not recommend firing it as the metallurgy and production quality reported in these guns has been...well, lets say not up to snuff. Secondly, I would recommend that you read up on the FAQ document provided at the top of every page. It has almost all of the basic information you could ask for when getting started and before you buy the books. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

12-12-2019, 05:24 PM	#3
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,347 Thanks: 7,285 Thanked 2,579 Times in 1,366 Posts	Welcome to the forum, Steve. Some consider the Stainless Lugers made in Houston to be collectible in their own right. They are not, of course, without their issues, but if yours is one that functions OK, fits together so that it doesn't rattle when shaken, hasn't had its flat surfaces buffed during its manufacture to be all wavy, and doesn't exhibit galling on the toggle ramps, it is indeed desirable as an example of what it is. NIB ought to realize an amount slightly North of a thousand bucks. If you insist on getting rid of it, I'll bet you could come pretty close to swapping it even up for an original lower level collectible or nice original shooter. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

12-12-2019, 07:00 PM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Welcome to the forum. Do download the FAQ PDF document: http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121 Lots of good reference information there, and it's free! __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-12-2019, 08:03 PM	#6
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,636 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,559 Times in 955 Posts	Good advice above. Welcome to ,the Forum. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

12-12-2019, 06:05 PM	#4
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,698 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,687 Times in 554 Posts	Welcome to the forum. It may be a good move to pass along your Mitchell Luger and buy an original. I've not been favorably impressed by the Mitchell Lugers I've examined. The fit hasn't been that great. If your purpose is to shoot an original Luger, then I suggest looking for a shooter. If collecting is the idea, then I suggest not shooting an all original, matching Luger. One in collectible condition and all matching will lose it's value if a numbered part breaks. Before jumping into deep waters, learn all you can here and also buy reference books... generally, the newer books have the best and most accurate information. Also beware that there are many fakes out there so being educated BEFORE you invest is a wise move.

12-12-2019, 10:40 PM	#7
gunnertwo User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 623 Thanks: 826 Thanked 930 Times in 363 Posts	Welcome! Great helpful folks here. G2

12-13-2019, 09:51 AM	#8
jackpot59 New User Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 4 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	just found a DWM "sneak luger" over on another site...got to do some reading on value, appears to be MOSTLY numbers matching for 1375...

12-13-2019, 10:35 AM	#9
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,636 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,559 Times in 955 Posts	That sounds very high priced to me. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

12-13-2019, 10:52 AM	#10
jackpot59 New User Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 4 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ty sir.

12-13-2019, 10:53 AM	#11
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	"Mostly matching numbers" is like being a "little bit" pregnant. It's either matched or it isn't. Not much in-between. dju

12-13-2019, 11:05 AM	#12
jackpot59 New User Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 4 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	apparently numbers matching except no numbers on firing pin, bolt hold open, and grips.

12-13-2019, 11:19 AM	#13
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Not uncommon to see those parts replaced, but it probably puts it into the shooter category. Unless there is something special about this one, it sounds like an expensive shooter. dju

12-13-2019, 11:21 AM	#14
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 546 Thanks: 559 Thanked 442 Times in 168 Posts	Welcome aboard. Yes, there are a number of true experts on this and the Still's forums and a much larger segment, like me, who are somewhat informed. Strike that "like me" part--I know enough to get into trouble, but I have knowledgeable friends who keep me pointed in the right direction. People here are quite willing to pass on their knowledge. BTW, the Luger you are looking at isn't even close to be matching. __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

12-13-2019, 02:24 PM	#15
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,242 Thanks: 117 Thanked 714 Times in 371 Posts	Welcome to the forum. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

12-13-2019, 05:07 PM	#16
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	Welcome to this forum, and my best advice is to go slow, and learn. __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

12-13-2019, 06:58 PM	#17
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Most Weimar era commerical lugers did not number the firing pin, hold open or grips, so may be correct. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 [email protected]

12-14-2019, 09:27 AM	#18
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	If you're just starting out collecting Lugers, buy the reference books first. They seem expensive, but you'll save their cost in the first bad deal you avoid. For what a mismatched Luger priced at $1375 costs you, you could have a correctly priced mismatched Luger (worth $1000) AND the most detailed Luger study that has been published. There is a lot of information in the FAQ I mentioned earlier, but much more detailed information in the books. So, go to Luger University first, then buy Lugers. Your experience may vary. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.